LOS ANGELES — A 9-month-old boxer pup named Duncan barreled down a beach in Oregon, running full
tilt on soft sand into YouTube history and showing more than 4 million viewers that he can revel in
a good romp despite lacking hind legs.

“It’s a heartwarming, wonderful thing to see,” said Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor at Texas
A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and executive director of the American College
of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Wanting to avoid putting too much pressure on his joints, Duncan’s owners say they are “keeping
a vigilant eye” on the animal, which can’t use prosthetics.

But many dogs can use them — and are.

“The use of a prosthetic can give that animal a more normal life,” Beaver said.

More veterinarians are using wheelchairs, orthotics and prosthetics to improve the lives of dogs
that have lost limbs to deformity, infection or accident, experts say. The move is driven by
persistent pet owners who embrace their animals as family and aren’t deterred by the cost and
commitment of outfitting disabled dogs with the devices.

At the same time, great strides in technology have been made to keep up with U.S. soldiers
returning wounded from war, and veterinarians have adapted the materials and know-how for the
rising demand from clients.

“There are so many things we can do to solve mechanical problems. If you have broken parts, we
can replace them,” said Martin Kaufmann, co-owner of Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics in
Denver, also known as OrthoPets, which helps about 2,000 animals a year.

Most devices range from $150 to $2,000 but can cost more, Kaufmann said.

Besides commercial manufacturers, there are probably thousands of backyard builders who have
created carts, slings or other devices to help their pets get around.

The number of pets using artificial limbs will never be huge, Beaver said. It takes a dedicated
person willing to take the prosthetic on and off, clean it and teach the animal to use it. It means
a lifestyle choice for pet owners.

With the time and cost required, many wonder why people spend time on disabled animals when
there are so many healthy dogs and cats awaiting homes. The answer, Beaver said: “Some people want
to.”

No one knows that better than Duncan’s owners, Amanda Giese and Gary Walters, co-founders of
Panda Paws Rescue for special-needs and hospice dogs in Vancouver, Wash. Of the 3,500 dogs they
have placed during the past 19 months, 10 were two-legged — and nine of them adapted to wheelchairs
and found homes.

Only 19-pound Duncan, whose deformed back legs were amputated, refused to take to wheels.
Prosthetic legs aren’t an option for him because there are no partial limbs strong enough to attach
them to.

The couple often carry Duncan to ease the pressure on his front legs.

“We are his prosthetics,” Giese said.

There have been successes even in challenging cases, Kaufmann said. OrthoPets helped mixed-breed
puppy Naki’o after his four legs and tail were frozen in ice. A surgeon had to amputate all of the
dog’s feet. But Kaufmann was able to outfit him with prosthetics.

“To see Naki’o at the beginning, he was protective and guarded,” he said. “Six months after all
this was done, he was just a fun-loving guy who likes to socialize.”

Now, Naki’o lives with the Nebraska couple who found him.

The rarity of dogs missing limbs varies. Three-legged pooches are uncommon but often make it
through life without help. But a dog shouldn’t have to do fine on three legs when it can thrive
pain-free with a prosthetic, Kaufmann said.